CNN Shake-Up: Jake Tapper, Kasie Hunt, Wolf Blitzer & More Get New Time Slots
CNN is making major changes to its daily lineup. The network announced its new plans on Thursday, January 23, with changes in time slots and programming affecting its well-known journalists.
Former NPR host and CNN podcast host Audie Cornish will take over CNN This Morning in the 6 a.m. time slot. The show was previously hosted by Kasie Hunt, who will now host a show called The Arena, which airs at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, Jake Tapper will be moving time slots. The Lead With Jake Tapper will now air from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., a one-hour shift from its previous spot at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. As previously speculated, Wolf Blitzer is also up for a big change. He will now host a show at 10 a.m. with Pamela Brown, as opposed to the early evening spot he held on CNN for 20 years.
At 5 a.m., CNN correspondent Rahel Solomon will host a new program called 5 Things. Meanwhile, Jim Acosta‘s role has not been specified after he reportedly turned down an offer to host during the midnight hour. He previously appeared during the 10 a.m. hour, which is now being taken over by Blitzer and Brown. The changes are set to go into effect in March.
CNN’s executive vice president of programming, Eric Sherling, shared the news with staffers in a memo. “In the mornings and afternoons, staffing in Atlanta and Washington will change to support our new lineup. In the evenings, the way we produce our primetime shows will change,” he wrote. “While most NY-based teams will remain at Hudson Yards, many control room positions, both editorial and operational, will move to Atlanta and Washington to make our operations more cost-efficient.”
Additionally, CEO Mark Thompson also said there are plans to get rid of 6 percent of the network’s staff as CNN switches to a focus on digital media.
Conversation33 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
P
I was a CNN watcher for years but the show has gone down especially letting Scott Jennings get up there peddling those BS lies. Jim Acosta is the best and pressed for the truth. They need to stop caving in for the Felon in chief. I quit watching CNN months ago. Do better CNN or the ratings will continue to drop.
31 6
-
G
You guys are Democrat parroting left wing ,anti-America,Anti-Christian and anti -western civilization proposition.The Democrat party , a political party that prioritizes illegal alliens over American citizens are traitors and should not exist.
4 3
-
J
your orange idiot god is a highclass traitor idiot.pull your head out your ass asap.
2 1
-
-
-
O
Jim Acosta says it how he see's it which is very appreciated. It feels like CNN is getting pressure to move him out so he can't be heard.
25 3
-
O
I think that moving Acosta was strictly political...to try to make him not be heard or to force him to quit. He and Jim Schuitto are the best announcers along with Berman, Erin Burnett and Pamela Brown. I'd like to see them retire Blitzer instead and keep Acosta at his regular time time slot.
23 4
-
G
Time for Blitzer to retire and Jim would be great in that slot. I'm not a fan of Dana Bash...likes hear herself talk. Have been pleasantly surprised by Kaitlin Collins. And keep Anderson, Jake in mix. I really am more of MSNBC fan...Rachel, Nicolle, Chris, Ayman but also think their morning hosts are terrible..,time for Mitchell to retire.
13 3
-
B
Definitely agree Mitchell should retire. Btw so should Leslie Stahl on CBS.
-
-
O
First, journalism DOESN'T EXIST at CNN
They're political hacks. And you still can't understand why your rating are lower than SpongeBob, the Food Network, or Rual Paul's Drag Show.
15 7
-
G
Maybe they need more hard headed reporting. Holding their TRUMP guests to the fire. They had no problem hammering on Biden. Well, now its TRUMP's turn. I refused to watch CNN for Trump's inauguration. And I didn't. Jim Acosta is great and holding guests feet to the fire. CNN has days probably before Trump does something concerning journalists and first amendment, if these past few days are any indication. Along with a national abortion ban.
19 11
-
G
Have been a viewer of CNN for years! What are they thinking? The changes are so sad. Jim Acosta is one of the best! So sad. Guess it’s time to switch! It won’t be FOX believe me!
10 3
-
P
Wasn't much of a CNN watcher until Trump entered the scene the first time around. Thought CNN was a fair reporting site getting statements from both sides. A lot of changes have taken place with the staff. Not necessarily for the better. My favorites are Jim Acosta, Kaitlyn, Jake and Brianna.
I like that they do call out those that are misrepresenting the truth. That they do push back with fact checks. I have also noticed that there had been less push back since the election and it disturbs me to the point I don't watch as often and have been looking into other outlets, however it appears that all major outlets are backing down and just rolling with the flow as to not upset the apple cart. I'm afraid in the very near future Americans will no longer have any accurate news and we are headed towards propaganda national TV.
8 2
-
O
Keep Acosta, lose Blitzer!!!
2
-
C
I can’t blame Acosta for wanting to quit. CNNs attempts at balanced reporting are WAY off. With panel guests such as Scott Jennings and Kevin O’Leary, you can’t expect a balanced, respectful debate. I watch CNN regularly and it seems to me that the journalistic quality is dissolving. I’m sorry to see that. I don’t like MSNBC.
1
-
P
Can we set March 2025 Dates?
1
-
B
Not a fan of Dana or Abby . Abby has no ending to her sentences. She takes forever to get to the point. She is very hard to follow and has little control over her panel. Dana's pronunciation is off. She's constantly correcting herself and laughing about it.
Neither of them seem to have the edge they once had.
3 2
-
C
So your gay no one cares.
-
C
CNN stinks, as does MSNBC, ABC, CBS. Nothing to watch but hard left slanted opinions and rhetoric.
-
G
Do NOT like Scott Jennings. He always has a smirk on his face. I turn it to another station when he is on.
-
F
cnn=fox shit tv jr
1 1
-
P
Scott Jennings is a "Tool".. just there to antagonize every one !!!!! Says STUPID TRUMP THINGS!!!!!
1 1
-
C
I agree completely! I never watched CNN until tRump came around the first time. I trust their reporting for the most part. All good reporters and panelists. Now the best ones are moving around or leaving. Pretty soon they will be gone and I'll need to search for another network to trust. (Yeah, right.) Good luck with that.
-
R
CNN have lost their way and these changes will only make things worse. I won't be watching anymore.
-
O
Dont like it
-
G
They’ve lost credibility with America!
We’re fatigued with all their hyperbolic propaganda
I’ve switched to NewsMax or POD Cast …. Dan bongino army - we’re the news now !
2 2
-
C
Well, bless your heart.
1
-
G
Jim Accosta thinks very high of himself, does not respect the guest . He does not allow guests to answer fully. High time, he makes his exit for better rating and for getting back to normal reporting.
9 10
-
C
Main stream journalism, awful, no questioning behind the scenes, absolutely boring - this is German socalled journalism, they call themselves " investigating" , a laughing sack!
That's why I appreciate CNN, even though it's changed. But now since Trump, they're afraid to criticize. WTF is happening? Is this Mc Carthy (POTUS in the fifties), or will a Civil War happen? When Millions of migrants will be deported, economy will collapse, prizes raise etc. CNN will have to watch it. In Germany forget about, they don't care!
6 8
-
C
Its time the CNN network reports ALL the news!
Not just there one-sided liberal views from there liberal anchors.
I stopped watching and had to try to understand WHY they were always so one sided.
I hope the get their act together.
6 9
-
J
you sound like your orange god poto.whiney
1
-
-
P
What about Dana Bash?
4
-
C
She is one of the worse!!! I hate listening to her cause she can never gets the words out of her mouth without stopping then starting and stuttering. When she interviews someone they take the lead and she looks like a fool . There is nothing good about the way she speaks, most of the time she has a hard time getting the correct words out of her mouth. Hope she is one of the people on the chopping block!!
4 2
-
G
She needs to go !! She can’t refrain from her biases and report the news
Can’t stand her smug attitude!
POD cast are the news now !!
Buh- bye CNN
2 1
-
R
she never smiles, time for her to go
1 1
-
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services